This Due: Monday April 25
Choose one
1. In act one, there are many allusions and recurring images. Cite a passage for one allusion and one specific image. Acknowledge the act, scene, and lines. Then post a picture that captures the essence of each passage.
OR
2. Pick out a five to seven line passage and discuss in three sntences why this passage impresses you. Acknowledge the act, scene, and lines.
rrnicholson 
And then it started like a guilty thing
Upon a fearful summons. I have heard,
The cock, that is the trumpet to the morn,
Doth with his lofty and shrill-sounding throat
Awake the god of day; and, at his warning,
Whether in sea or fire, in earth or air,
The extravagant and erring spirit hies
To his confine: and of the truth herein
This present object made probation.
(Act 1 Scene 1 ll. 148-156)
This passage impresses me because it shows the philosophical side of Horatio. I like how he describes the rooster sending the ghost back to wherever it came from .I also like the references to the four elements because it’s nice imagery and it again shows Horatio being philosophical.
Yes, Horatio is philosophical, but is he also religious?
Question 2
(Hamlet, Act 1 scene 2, II 76-86)”Seems, madam! nay, it is ; I know not “seems.”/ ‘Tis not alone my inky cloack, good mother,/ Nor windy suspiration of forced breath,/ No, nor the fruitful river in the eye,/ Nor the dejected haviour of the visage,/ together with all forms, modes, shapes of grief,/ that can denote me truly: these indeed seem,/ for they are actions that a man might play;/ but i have that within which passeth show;/ these, but the trappings and the suits of woe.”
I like these lines because it shows how Hamlet object and disagree to his mother and Claudius wedding. And show that Hamlet has great respectful to his father, and express his anger of his mother being disrespectful, and oblivious of hamlet.
Take note of what Hamlet sees as shows of grief.
“Yes, by St. Patrick, but there is, Horatio./And much offence too. Touching this vision here,/It is an honest ghost, that let me tell you;/For your desire to know what is between us,/O’ermaster’t as you may. And now, good friends,/As you are friends, scholars, and soldiers,/Give me one poor request.” (Hamlet, Act 1, Scene 5, ll. 137-143.)
This is a passage that shows Hamlet is going a bit crazy. I like this quote because it brings me some promise that the plot will begin to get very interesting. Another reason this quote stands out for me is because it provides the reader with intel on how the ghost impacts Hamlets behavior and pushes his hate toward his uncle/step father situation.
Wha t is the double egde meaning of “offense”?
“But two months dead! nay, not so much, not two;
So excellent a king; that was, to this,
Hyperion to a satyr: so loving to my mother,
That he might not beteem the winds of heaven
Visit her face too roughly. Heaven and earth!
Must I remember? why, she would hang on him,
As if increase of appetite had grown”
(Hamlet, Act 1, Scene II, ll. 138-144)
This passage impresses me because it represents the respect Hamlet has for his father. This passage is part of Hamlet’s first soliloquy, where he praises his father, shows his hatred for Claudius, and describes his mother as parasitic for remarrying. This passage helps to develop Hamlet’s personality and emotions for the rest of the play.
What about the allusion to the satyr?
“But two months dead! nay, not so much, not two;/So excellent a king; that was, to this,/ Hyperion to a satyr: so loving my mother,/ That he might not beteem the winds of heaven/ Visit her face too roughly. Heaven and earth!/ Must I remember? why, she would hang on him,” (Hamlet, Act I, Scene II, ll. 138-143)
I like this passage because it really shows Hamlet’s respect and dedication to his father. He makes his hatred towards Claudius very clear and also shows that he doesn’t like what has happened so soon after his father’s death. He believes his father was a better king than Claudius will ever be, and hates him for trying to replace him and for being in, what Hamlet believes to be, an incestuous relationship with the queen.
Is the hatred for Claudius only?
“But two months dead! nay, not so much, not two; / So excellent a king; that was, to this, / Hyperion to a satyr: so loving to my mother, / That he might not beteem the winds of heaven / Visit her face too roughly. Heaven and earth! / Must I remember? why, she would hang on him, / As if increase of appetite had grown / By what it fed on: and yet, within a month– / Let me not think on’t– Frailty, thy name is woman!” (Shakespeare, Hamlet, Act I, Scene II, ll. 138-146)
This passage impresses me because it reveals a great deal about Hamlet’s character in very few lines. Within the passage, Hamlet expresses loyalty towards his father as well as a newfound hatred toward Claudius. He compares the two men and wonders how his mother could have possibly progressed from his father, whom he compares to the sun god, to Claudius, the sexual goat-man. Hamlet frequently uses hyperboles, such as his reference to the winds of heaven and also when referring to the date of his father’s death (first he says it had been two months and then later he says it had been merely one month). Toward the end of the passage, Hamlet shows misogynistic qualities and compares his mother to a parasite. He suggests that she killed her first host (Hamlet, Sr.) and has been forced to find someone new to feed on (Claudius).
Hamlet sees his mother as a parasite.
O God! a beats that wants discourse of reason
Would have mourn’d longer, – married with mine uncle,
My father’s brother, but no more like my father
Than i to Hercules: within a month;
Ere yet the salt of most unrighteous tears
Had left flushed of her galled eyes,
She married: – O most wicked speed to post
With such dexterity to incestuous sheets!
(Hamlet, Act 1, Scene II, ll. 150-157)
The reason this passage impresses me is the soul fact of how much information he is able to pack into his wordings. His reference to the beast that would have longed more than his mother does shows his distaste for his mother. Hamlet thinks that his mother did not love his father and swear to the sacred vows as Hamlet senior had. He also shows his use of hyperbole when he says that his father has only been gone a month when he has actually been gone for two. Along with his distaste for his mother he is trying to make the situation look as bad as possible for her.
Good evaluation of Hamlet’s attitude.
“My father’s brother, but no more like my father
Than I to Hercules: within a month;
Ere yet the salt of most unrighteous tears
Had left the flushing of her galled eyes,
She married:–O most wicked speed, to post
With such dexterity to incestuous sheets!
It is not, nor it cannot come to, good;
But break, my heart, for I must hold my tongue!”
(Hamlet, Act I, Scene II, ll. 152-159)
I am impressed by these lines because they sum up Hamlet’s hatred for his mother and step-father in just a few lines. Hamlet compares his father’s heroism to Claudius’ by saying that the difference is the same as that of the difference between himself and Hercules. Hamlet is also mad at his mother for getting over his father’s death so fast and then marrying Claudius so quickly afterwards. He calls their marriage incestual because when Gertrude was married to Hamlet Sr., Gertrude and Claudius would have been brother and sister in law. In the final line Hamlet expresses his anger about not being able to say what he feels because it would get him in trouble.
Does the incest show Hamlet’s reflection on Gertrude’s immorality?
Does the incest show Hamlet’s reflection on Gertrude’s immorality
Your love, as mine to you: farewell.
My father’s spirit in arms! all is not well;
I doubt some foul play: would the night were come!
Till then sit still, my soul. Foul deeds will rise,
Though all the earth o’erwhelm them, to men’s eyes.
(Hamlet, Act 1, Scene II, ll. 253-256)
He talks about how he misses his father and believes this ghost can solve his problem. Hamlet talks about it stilling his soul and thinks this is his chance to make things right. He believes with all faith he will see the ghost as well.
Is Hamlet hinting that he might not be the man to complete the job?
“That rots itself in ease on Lethe wharf,
Wouldst thou not stir in this. Now, Hamlet, Hear:
‘Tis given out that, sleeping in mine orchard
A serpent stung me; so the whole ear of Denmark
Is by a forged process of my death”
(Hamlet, Act 1, Scene 5, ll. 33-37)
I was very impressed with how Shakespeare ties in these two major allusions into the five lines. He mentions the Bible story of Adam and Eve and also mentions Greek mythology. This shows how Shakespeare could tie in many different ideas into just a few lines.
Jacking my quote
hehehe
“But two months dead! nay, not so much, not two;
So excellent a king; that was, to this,
Hyperion to a satyr: so loving to my mother,
That he might not beteem the winds of heaven
Visit her face too roughly. Heaven and earth!
Must I remember? why, she would hang on him,
As if increase of appetite had grown”
(Hamlet, Act 1, Scene II, ll. 138-144)
This passage impresses me because it shows how Hamlet is so respectful of his father. He knows that Claudius is not near the man Hamlets father was. It shows great deal of hatred to Claudius and how his mother is a parasite for remarrying.
Keep the focus on the parasite.
Do not, as some ungracious pastors do,
Show me the steep and thorny way to heaven,
Whilst, like a puff’d and reckless libertine,
Himself the primrose path of dalliance treads
And recks not his own rede.
(Shakespeare, Hamlet, Act I, Scene iii, ll. 147-151)
I selected this passage because I admire Ophelia’s determination and her defiance towards her brother. She won’t be told what to do, and doesn’t appreciate being told to taken the harder path, while Laertes treads on an easier one. I liked the images Shakespeare used in this passage, like “the steep and thorny way to heaven,” (Act I, Scene iii, l. 48) to describe the path that Ophelia should take, while describing Laertes path he chose a “primrose path of dalliance treads.” (Act I, Scene iii, l. 50) In society, generally, it is the man that takes the harder course in life, having to protect and support the family, while the women stay at home and do ‘nothing’ but go outside and garden. I liked how Ophelia describes the truth of man’s and woman’s roles in society.
Finally someone has viewed the role of women in the play.
O,that this too too-solid flesh would melt,
Thaw, and resolve itself into a dew!
Or that the Everlasting had not fix’d
his canon ‘gainst self slaughter! God! O God!
How weary, stale,flat, and unprofitable
Seem to me all the uses of this world!
Fie on’t! O fie! ’tis an unweeded garden,
That grows to seed, thigns rank and gross in nature
Possess it merely. (Shakespeare, Hamelt, Act I, Scene ii,ll.129-135)
There are many reasons why this passage has impressed me, but the biggest reason is because this passage has revealed some of Hamlets character. During this part of his soliloquy, it is revealed how negative Hamlet views his life. He states that the values of life are not good enough for him, and how he is useless. In his sense of negativity he reveals that he wants to commit suicide, but rejects the idea because of God. By doing so, it reveals to us that he is a religious man, and would rather stay on the Earth that he hates, than do something to disrespect God. Hamlet also gives us insight in his life when he states that the world is an unweeded garden. He tells us that his life is full of weeds, and it is one big, ugly mess. His possible weeds, burdens, in his life are caused by his fathers death, Claudius as king, and his mother marrying in less than two months. I like this passage as well becasue it also reveals Hamlets philosophical side. Becasue Hamlet is speaking negatively about the world around him, and is contemplating suicide, Hamlet can be interpreted as a person who sees the glass half empty, and not half full. He focuses on the negative aspects on his life, and can find flaws in anything.
I agree. Hamlet resents life and dwells on death.
Act 1 Responses, Question #2
“So I have heard, and do in part believe it.
But look, the morn, in russet mantle clad,
Walks o’er the dew of yon high eastern hill:
Break we our watch up; and, by my advice,
Let us impart young Hamlet: for upon my life,
This spirit, dumb to us, will speak to him;
Do you consent we shall acquaint him with it,
As needed in our loves, fitting our duty?”
(Shakespeare, Hamlet, Act 1, Scene 1, ll.165-173)
I am impressed by this passage because not only does Horatio justify his belief by saying “ and in part I do believe,” it also proves Horatio’s prediction wrong, and re-enforces that there actually is a ghost. Horatio’s reaction to the ghost’s existence leaves the reader wanting to find out if the ghost will speak to Hamlet, as Horatio predicts he will.
Nice observation about the ghost’s existence.
“Let us go in together;/ And still your fingers on your lips, I pray./ The time is out of joint; O cursed spite,/ That ever I was born to set it right!-/ Nay, come, let’s go together.” (Shakespeare, Hamlet, Act 1 Scene V, ll. 188-192)
While talking to the ghost of his father, Hamlet learns that he must take revenge against Claudius. When the ghost leaves and Hamlet, Horatio and Marcellus head back to the castle, Hamlet makes them swear that they will never tell a soul about anything that went on that night. I like the fact that this is the end of act one because you wonder what Hamlet will do to fulfill what his father told him and it seems to be the “hook” of the act.
Good point about the hook.
“Fie on’t! O fie! ’tis an unweeded garden,
That grows to seed; things rank and gross in nature
Possess it merely. That it should come to this!
But two months dead! nay, not so much, not two;
So excellent a king; that was, to this,
Hyperion to a satyre: so loving to my mother,
That he might not beteem the winds of heaven
Visit her face too roughly.”
(Shakespeare, Hamlet, Act 1 Scene 2, ll. 135-142)
This passage impresses me because of the comparisons that are used to describe how Hamlet feels about Claudius. Hamlet compares Denmark to an unweeded garden and Claudius is the bad weed. I also like the way he uses allusions to compare his father to Claudius. He describes his father as Hyperion the sungod and claudius to the satyr ( goat man) wich shows his great hatred towards Claudius.
This passage also reveals a lot about Hamlet’s character. He overexadurating when he says that his father “might not beteem the winds of heaven”(141) if the wind visits his mothers face too roughly. He is overdramatic and unwilling to accept that his uncle will be able to take the place of his father.
Good point about Hamlet’s over acting or exaggerating.
” Rest, rest, perturbed spirit! So, gentlemen,
With all my love I do commend me to you:
And what so poor a man as Hamlet is
May do, to express his love and friending to you,
God willing, shall not lack. Let us go in together;
And still your fingers on your lips, I pray.
The time is out of joint: O cursed spite,
That ever I was born to set it right!
Nay, come, let’s go together. ”
(Hamlet, Act 1, scene V, ll. 184-192)
This passage impresses me because it shows that Hamlet does not want people knowing that he is going crazy, although they can tell by the way he acts. He knows himself that he is going crazy, as do Horatio and Marcellus but he tells them that if anyone asks about him going crazy, to act normal, as if nothing is going on. This passage stood out to me because Hamlet is relying on Horatio and Marcellus to keep things quiet about him going crazy.
Is there anything erratic in Hamlet’s behaviour here?
“As I perchance hereafter shall think meet
To put an antic disposition on,
That you, at such times seeing me, never shall,
With arms encumber’d thus, or this head-shake,
Or by pronouncing of some doubtful phrase,”
(Shakespeare, Hamlet, Act1 Scene 5, ll. 172-176)
This passage impresses me because in a few short lines it shows that Hamlet has really gone mad. He is scheming in what you can only image is a crazy voice, coming up with crazy ideas, and only someone who truly is mad would warn people that they are going to act crazy. This passage to me, is foreshadowing how Hamlet’s character is going to progress for the rest of the play giving the impression that Hamlet will only become more insane with the coming events and that his actions will also be those of a mad person.
What sort of actions do you see coming from Hamlet in the future?
I dont know why the time of my post says April. 26 at 12:19am, because it is really April. 25, 9:21 pm.
excuses excuses
“Fie on’t! O fie! ’tis an unweeded garden,/That grows to seed; things rank and gross in nature/Possess it merely. That it should come to this!/But two months dead! nay, not so much, not two;/So excellent a king; that was, to this,/Hyperion to a satyr: so loving to my mother, That he might not beteem the winds of heaven/Visit her face too roughly. Heaven and earth”(Shakespeare, Hamlet, Act1, Scene II, ll. 135-142)
This passage impresses me because it clearly displays Hamlet’s feeling about his uncle and his effect on Denmark. When Hamlet states “things rank and gross in nature/Possess it merely.” it tells us that Hamlet believes Claudius to be a weed or disease that has invaded and taken over the throne of Denmark. This depiction of his uncle as being a weed could also be reference to Claudius’ rise to power, because in the eyes of Hamlet his claim to the throne was unwanted and unrightfully taken. He also compares his father to the Greek sun-good Hyperion and his uncle Claudius to a satyr (a promiscuous part goat part man). Comparing his father to a god tells us that Hamlet held his father in high regards but he may also say this to contrast his feelings for his uncle. Comparing his uncle to a satyr serves a dual purpose because it lets us know that Hamlet views his uncle to be lowly but also lets us know his feelings about Claudius marriage to his mother.
Good focus on the implied imagery.